Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Structure and emplacement of granite plutons in the Paleoproterozoic crust of Eastern Burkina Faso: rheological implications

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
International Journal of Earth Sciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The Fada N′Gourma area in Burkina Faso is underlain by Paleoproterozoic rocks that make the northeastern West-African Craton. This region is composed of NE-trending volcano-sedimentary belts and foliated tonalites, affected by several shear zones. A generation of younger, ∼2100 Ma-old, non-foliated biotite-bearing granites intrudes the former rock units. We have investigated the younger granite pluton of Kouare that was previously considered as forming a single body with the pluton of Satenga to the west, a pluton which likely belongs to the ∼20 Ma more recent Tenkodogo-Yamba batholith. Magnetic fabric measurements have been combined with microstructural observations and the analysis of field and aeromagnetic data. The granite encloses angular enclaves of the host tonalites. Magmatic microstructures are preserved inside the pluton and solid-state, high-temperature deformation features are ubiquitous at its periphery. The presence of steeply plunging lineations in the pluton of Kouare and its adjacent host-rocks suggests that large volumes of granitic magmas became crystallized while they were ascending through the crust that was softened and steepened close to the contact. Around Kouare, the foliation in the host tonalites conforms with a map-scale, Z-shaped fold in between NNE-trending shear zones, implying a bulk clockwise rotation of the material contained in-between the shear zones, including the emplacing pluton. Regionally, the Fada N′Gourma area is concluded to result from NW-shortening associated with transcurrent shearing and vertical transfer of granitic magmas. This study concludes that the ∼2200 Myears old juvenile crust of Burkina Faso was brittle before the intrusion of the biotite-granites, became softened close to them and that gravity-driven and regional scale wrench tectonics were active together.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abouchami W, Boher M, Michard A, Albarède F (1990) A major 2.1 Ga old event of mafic magmatism in west Africa: an early stage of crustal accretion. J Geophys Res 95(B11):17607–17629

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ama-Salah I, Liégeois JP, Pouclet A (1996) Evolution d´un arc insulaire océanique birimien précoce au Liptako nigérien (Sirba): géologie, géochronologie et géochimie. J Afr Earth Sci 22:235–254

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Améglio L, Vigneresse JL, Bouchez JL (1997) Granite pluton geometry and emplacement mode inferred from combined fabric and gravity data. In: Bouchez JL, Hutton DHW, Stephens WE (eds) Granite: from segregation of melt to emplacement fabrics. Kluwer, Dordrecht, pp 199–214

    Google Scholar 

  • Archanjo CJ, Launeau P, Bouchez JL (1995) Magnetic fabric versus magnetite and biotite shape fabrics of the magnetite-bearing granite pluton of Gameleiras (Northeast Brazil). Phys Earth Plan Int 89:63–75

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Benn K, Rochette P, Bouchez JL, Hattori K (1993) Magnetic susceptibility, magnetic mineralogy and magnetic fabrics in a late Archean granitoid-gneiss belt. Precambrian Res 63:59–81

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Beziat D, Bourges F, Debat P, Lompo M, Martin F, Tollon F (2000) A Paleoproterozoic ultramafic-mafic assemblage and asociated volcanic rocks of the Boromo greenstone belt: fractionates originating from island-arc volcanic activity in the West African craton. Precambrian Res 101:25–47

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Boher M, Abouchami W, Michard A, Albarède F, Arndt NT (1992) Crustal growth in West Africa at 2.1 Ga. J Geophys Res 97(B1):345–369

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bonhomme M (1962) Contribution à l´étude géochronologique de la plate-forme de l´Ouest africain. Ann Fac Sci Univ Clermont-Ferrand, Géol Minéral 5, 62 p

  • Borradaile GJ, Henry B (1997) Tectonic applications of magnetic susceptibility and its anisotropy. Earth Sci Rev 42:49–93

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bouchez JL (1997) Granite is never isotropic: an introduction to AMS studies in granitic rocks. In: Bouchez JL, Hutton DHW, Stephens WE (eds) Granite: from segregation of melt to emplacement fabrics. Kluwer, Dordrecht, pp 95–112

    Google Scholar 

  • Bouchez JL (2000) Anisotropie de susceptibilité magnétique et fabrique des granites. CR Acad Sci Paris, Earth Planet Sci 330:1–14

    Google Scholar 

  • Caby R, Delor C, Agoh O (2000) Lithologie, structure et métamorphisme des formations birimiennes dans la région d´Odienné (Côte d´Ivoire): rôle majeur du diapirisme des plutons et des décrochements en bordure du craton de Man. J Afr Earth Sci 30:351–374

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carreras J, Druguet E, Griera A (2005) Shear zone-related folds. J Struct Geol 27:1229–1251

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Castaing C, Billa M, Milési JP, Thiéblemont D, Le Métour J, Egal E, Donzeau M (BRGM) (coordonnateurs), Guerrot C, Cocherie A, Chèvremont P, Tegyey M, Itard Y (BRGM), Zida B, Ouédraogo I, Koté S, Kaboré BE, Ouédraogo C (BUMIGEB), Ki JC, Zunino C (ANTEA) (2003) Notice explicative de la carte géologique et minière du Burkina Faso à 1/1 000 000. Ed BRGM, Orléans, France, p147

  • Chardon D, Peucat JJ, Jayananda M, Choukroune P, Fanning CM (2002) Archean granite-greenstone tectonics at Kolar (South India): Interplay of diapirism and bulk inhomogeneous contraction during juvenile magmatic accretion. Tectonics 21/3:1–16

    Google Scholar 

  • Debat P, Nikiéma S, Mercier A, Lompo M, Béziat D, Bourges F, Roddaz M, Salvi S, Tollon F, Wenmenga U (2003) A new metamorphic constraint for the Eburnean orogeny from Paleoproterozoic formations of the Man shield (Aribinda and Tampelga countries, Burkina Faso). Precambrian Res 123:47–65

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Doumbia S, Pouclet A, Kouamelan A, Peucat JJ, Vidal M, Delor C (1998) Petrogenesis of juvenile-type Birimian (Paleoproterozoic) granitoids in central Côte-d´Ivoire, West Africa: geochemistry and geochronology. Precambrian Res 87(1–2):33–63

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Egal E, Castaing C, Chèvremont P, Donzeau M, Guerrot C, Kote S, Ouédraogo I, Kagambèga N, Le Métour J, Tegyey M, Thiéblemont D (2004) Geological and structural framework of the Paleoproterozoic basement in Burkina Faso: mapping and geochronological constraints. 20th Colloq Afric Geol, Orleans, Abstracts, vol 2, pp 181–182

  • Feybesse JL, Milési JP (1994) The Archean/Proterozoic contact zone in West Africa: a mountain belt of decollement thrusting and folding on a continental margin related to 2.1 Ga convergence of Archean cratons? Precambrian Res 69:199–227

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Feybesse JL, Milési JP, Ouédraogo MF, Prost A (1990) La « ceinture » protérozoïque inférieure de Boromo-Goren (Burkina Faso): un exemple d’interférence entre deux phases transcurrentes éburnéennes. C R Acad Sci Paris 310:1353–1360

    Google Scholar 

  • Gasquet D, Barbey P, Adou M, Paquette JL (2003) Structure, Sr–Nd isotope geochemistry and zircon U–Pb geochronology of the granitoids of the Dabakala area (Côte d’Ivoire): evidence for a 2.3 Ga crustal growth event in the Palaeoproterozoic of West Africa? Precambrian Res 127:329–354

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Guillet P, Bouchez JL, Vigneresse JL (1985) Le complexe granitique de Plouaret: mise en évidence structurale et gravimétrique de diapirs emboîtés. Bull Soc Géol Fr 8:503–513

    Google Scholar 

  • Harlov DE, Wirth R (2000) K-feldspar-quartz phase and K-feldspar-plagioclase phase boundary interactions in garnet-orthopyroxene gneisses from Val Strona di Omegna, Ivrea-Verbano Zone, Northern Italy. Contrib Miner Petro 140:148–162

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hein KAA (1998) Structural and geological interpretation of aeromagnetic data of Eastern Burkina Faso: explanatory notes. Company Report No. QB98\14i, Sanmatenga Joint Venture Partners, p18

  • Hirdes W, Davis DW, Lüdtke G, Konan G (1996) Two generations of Birimian (Paleoproterozoic) volcanic belts in northeastern Côte d´Ivoire (West Africa): consequences for the Birimian controversy. Precambrian Res 80:173–191

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hottin G, Ouédraogo OF (1975) Notice explicative de la carte géologique à 1/1.000.000 du Burkina Faso. Ed BRGM Archives DGM (Ouagadougou), p 58

  • Hrouda F (1982) Magnetic anisotropy of rocks and its application in geology and geophysics. Geophys Surv 5:37–82

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jelínek V (1978) Statistical processing of anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility measured on groups of specimens, Studia Geoph Geod 142:50–62

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Johnson SE, Vernon RH, Upton P (2004) Foliation development and progressive strain-rate partitioning in the crystallizing carapace of a tonalite pluton: microstructural evidence and numerical modeling. J Struct Geol 26:1845–1865

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ledru P, Pons J, Milési JP, Tegyey M (1994) Markers of the last stages of the Palaeoproterozoic collision: evidence for a 2 Ga continent involving circum-south Atlantic provinces. Precambrian Res 69:169–191

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Machens E (1967) Notice explicative de la carte géologique du Niger occidental, à 1/200 000. Ed BRGM Archives DGM (Niamey), p 36

  • Menegon L, Pennacchioni G, Stünitz H (2006) Nucleation and growth of myrmekite during ductile shear deformation in metagranites. J metamorphic Geol 24:553–568

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Milési JP, Ledru P, Feybesse JL, Dommanget A, Marcoux E (1992) Early Proterozoic ore deposits and tectonics of the Birimian orogenic belt, West Africa. Precambrian Res 58:305–344

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Naba S, Lompo M, Debat P, Bouchez JL, Béziat D (2004) Structure and emplacement model for late-orogenic Paleoproterozoic granitoids: the Tenkodogo-Yamba elongate pluton (Eastern Burkina Faso). J Afr Earth Sci 38:41–57

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Passchier CW, Trouw RAJ (1996a) Microtectonics. Springer, Heidelberg, pp 1–304, ISBN: 3-540-58713-6

    Google Scholar 

  • Passchier CW, Williams PR (1996b) Conflicting shear sense indicators in shear zones; the problem of non-ideal sections. J Struct Geol 18:1281–1284

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Petfort N, Keer RC, Lister JR (1993) Dike transport of granitoid magmas. Geology 21:845–848

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pons J, Debat P, Oudin C, Valero J (1991) Emplacement and evolution of a synkinematic pluton (Saraya granite, Senegal, W. Africa). Bull Soc Géol Fr 162:1075–1082

    Google Scholar 

  • Pons J, Oudin C, Valero J (1992) Kinematics of large syn-orogenic intrusions: example of the Lower Proterozoic Saraya Batholith (Eastern Senegal). Geol Rundsch 81/2:473–486

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pons J, Barbey P, Dupuis D, Léger JM (1995) Mechanisms of pluton emplacement and structural evolution of a 2.1 Ga juvenile continental crust : the Birimian of southwestern Niger. Precambrian Res 70:281–301

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pouclet A, Vidal M, Delor C, Simeon Y, Alric G (1996) Le volcanisme birimien du Nord-Est de la Côte-d´Ivoire : mise en évidence de deux phases volcano-tectoniques distinctes dans l´évolution géodynamique du Paléoprotérozoïque. Bull Soc géol Fr 167(4):529–541

    Google Scholar 

  • Raguin M (1969) Rapport de fin de campagne des travaux géologiques effectuées sur le degré carré de Pama. Rapport DGM, Ouagadougou, pp 1–132

    Google Scholar 

  • Rochette P (1987) Magnetic susceptibility of the rock matrix related to magnetic fabric studies. J Struct Geol 9:1015–1020

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rosenberg CL, Riller U (2000) Partial melt topology in statistically and dinamically recrystallized granite. Geology 28:7–10

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sial AN, Toselli AJ, Saavedra J, Parada MA, Ferreira VP (1999) Emplacement, petrological and magnetic susceptibility characteristics of diverse magmatic epidote-bearing granitoid rocks in Brasil, Argentina and Chile. Lithos 46:367–392

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sun SS, McDonough WF (1989) Chemical and isotopic systematics of ocean basalts: Implications for mantle composition and processes. In: Saunders AD, Norry MJ (eds) Magmatism in ocean basins, Special Publication 42. Geological Society of London, pp 313–345

  • Sylvester PJ, Attoh K (1992) Lithostratigraphy and composition of 2.1 Ga greenstone belts of the West African Craton and their bearing on crustal evolution and the Archean-Proterozoic boundary. J Geol 100:377–393

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vernon RH (1991) Questions about myrmekite in deformed rocks. J Struct Geol 13:979–985

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vernon RH (2004) A practical guide to rock microstructure. Cambridge University Press, 594 p ISBN 052181443 X

  • Vidal M, Delor C, Pouclet A, Siméon Y, Alric G (1996) Evolution géodynamique de l´Afrique de l´Ouest entre 2,2 et 2 Ga: le style ``Archéen” des ceintures vertes et des ensembles sédimentaires birimiens du Nord-Est de la Côte-d´Ivoire. Bull Soc Géol Fr 167:307–319

    Google Scholar 

  • Vigneresse JL (1995) Control of granite emplacement by regional deformation. Tectonophysics 249:173–186

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vigneresse JL, Bouchez JL (1997) Successive granitic magma batches during pluton emplacement: the case of Cabeza de Araya (Spain). J Petrol 38:1767–1776

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vigneresse JL, Tikoff B, Améglio L (1999) Modification of the regional stress field by magma intrusion and formation of tabular granitic plutons. Tectonophysics 302:203–224

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

We warmly thank Dr Kim Hein (Mining Geology, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg) who provided us with the aeromagnetic image. We also thank Prof. Martin Lompo for the facilities provided in Burkina Faso, Christiane Cavaré-Hester for helping us in figure presentations and Anne Nédélec for suggestions and advices. The BUMIGEB (Ministry of Mines in Burkina Faso) is thanked for providing us with the new geological map of Burkina. This work was partially supported by a post-doctoral fellowship of the Basque Government to Nestor Vegas and the CGL2004-00701 project (Ministerio de Ciencia y Tecnología). This is a contribution of the LMTG of Toulouse.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratoire des Mécanismes et Transfert en Géologie, UMR CNRS #5563, 14 Ave E. Belin, 31 400, Toulouse, France

    Jean Luc Bouchez & Mark Jessell

  2. Laboratoire de Pétrophysique, Université de Ouagadougou, 03 BP7021, 03, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

    Seta Naba

  3. Departamento de Geodinamica, Universidad del Pais Vasco, Bilbao, Spain

    Nestor Vegas

Authors
  1. Nestor Vegas
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Seta Naba
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Jean Luc Bouchez
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Mark Jessell
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Nestor Vegas.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Vegas, N., Naba, S., Bouchez, J.L. et al. Structure and emplacement of granite plutons in the Paleoproterozoic crust of Eastern Burkina Faso: rheological implications. Int J Earth Sci (Geol Rundsch) 97, 1165–1180 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00531-007-0205-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00531-007-0205-z

Keywords

Search

Navigation